Interactive weather advisory system

ABSTRACT

A broadcast network for selectively transmitting individualized weather output signals to at least one of a plurality of communicator devices remotely located from the broadcast network. The broadcast network comprises a user input database, a communicator location database, a weather analysis unit, and a communication network. The user input database contains a plurality of user profiles. At least some of the user profiles contains parameters provided from a pre-defined user profile. Each user profile includes a user identifier code. The communicator location database contains real-time data indicative of the spatial locations of the communicator devices. The weather analysis unit automatically and continuously compares the parameters in the user input database and the spatial locations of the corresponding communicator devices contained in the communicator location database with real-time weather data to generate individualized weather output signals. The communication network receives the user identifier codes and the individualized weather output signals. The communication network transmits each individualized weather output signal to the particular communicator device identified by the user identifier code.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present patent application is a continuation of U.S. Serial No.10/355,971, filed on Jan. 31, 2003, which is a continuation-in-part ofU.S. Ser. No. 10/322,187, filed on Dec. 16, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No.6,754,585, which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/624,668, filed onJul. 24, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,505,123. The entire content of eachof the above-referenced patent applications is hereby incorporatedherein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

During recent years, the demand for detailed weather information hasrisen sharply. Personal computers and communication devices haveincreased the demand for more information because of their power togather, manipulate, transmit and receive data. As a result, specializedinformation and value-added services are in great demand. End users nolonger desire to gather, manipulate and evaluate raw data. Nowhere isthis condition more apparent than with weather services across NorthAmerica.

Years ago, radio and television broadcasters recognized an increasingdemand for weather information from their audience, and thus increasedthe number of on-air weather segments as a means for increasing marketranking. Today, the demand for specific content in weather informationhas exceeded the ability of broadcasters to meet this demand. Virtuallyevery facet of business and personal activities are continuallyinfluenced by the weather, good or bad.

In the United States as in most countries, a governmental agency (theNational Weather Service in the United States), has the primaryresponsibility of generating weather products for the general public.These products, such as advisories, statements, and forecasts aregenerated and made available to third parties, such as broadcasters,newspapers, internet web sites, paging companies and others who, inturn, distribute them to the public. However, this chain of data custodyis one way.

Today's lifestyles are fast-paced and sophisticated. Requests fordetailed weather information for specific applications outnumber thegovernments' ability to process them. However, adhering to theirmandated responsibility, the National Weather Service generates thegeneral products for public consumption twice daily. This conditionforces the public to interpret general and outdated advisories to meettheir needs. Often, this interpretation is made erroneously. Even worse,these products are usually regional or national in scope, and may notapply to a particular location where various local activities areunderway.

By way of example, weather warnings are broadcast by radio stationsacross the United States. These warnings identify certain weatherimpacts within a specified area. In most cases, the warning areaincludes one or more counties, covering dozens to hundreds of squaremiles. Most often, these threats (such as severe thunderstorms,tornadoes, etc.), only impact a very small zone within the warning area.These threats also move rapidly. As impacts approach specific zones,they are in fact, moving away from other zones, inside the total warningarea. Essentially, the existing reporting system is insufficient tospecifically identify and adequately warn of personal risk. Furthermore,if the threat is imminent, the existing system cannot and does notprovide preventive measures for each user near or at the threat. Thus,by default, distant or unaffected users are placed “on alert”unnecessarily when the threat may be moving away from their location.

Another common example further clarifies the problem. A family, excitedto attend the championship softball game this upcoming weekend, closelymonitors the local weather forecast. All week-long the forecast hasadvised fair to partly cloudy weather for game day. Early on game day,the forecast changes to partly cloudy, with a thirty percent chance forlate afternoon showers. The family decides to attend the game, believingthat the chances for rain are below their perceived risk level. Unknownto the family at midday, some clusters of showers are intensifying, andwill place dangerous lightning over the game field. While the morningweather report was not completely inaccurate, the participants andspectators are exposed to risk. If later asked, it is likely the familymembers did not hear or remember the weather forecast. They also failedto link their limited knowledge of the weather to their own needs andrisk exposure. They did not monitor changing weather events. Mostlikely, they had no ability to monitor developing risk at the game.Clearly, these people were forced to interpret outdated, limitedinformation, as applied to their specific application.

Therefore, a need exists for a system to automatically and continuouslyprovide consumer customized weather reports, advisories, alerts,forecasts and warnings relevant to a consumer-defined level of need ordynamic spatial location. It is to such a system that the presentinvention is directed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an interactive weather advisory systemand method of delivering individualized weather information. Morespecifically the present invention relates to a broadcast network forselectively transmitting individualized weather output signals to remotecommunicator devices. The broadcast network includes a user inputdatabase, a communicator location database, a weather analysis unit anda communication network.

The user input database contains user-defined parameters and each of theuser-defined parameters desirably includes a spatial range identifierand a user profile. The user profile in each of the user-definedparameters at least identifies a communicator device associated with aparticular user.

The communicator location database contains real-time data indicative ofthe spatial locations of the communicator devices. In one preferredversion of the present invention, the communicator location database isautomatically and/or continuously updated by the communicator devices.

The weather information database contains real-time weather data for atleast the spatial locations contained in the communicator locationdatabase. The term “weather data” describes a wide variety of weatherproducts, including but not limited to: past and current conditions ofweather events; textual products, graphic products, and the like. Theweather analysis unit receives the real-time weather data from theweather information database and automatically and continuously comparesthe spatial range identifier included in the user-defined parameters andthe spatial locations of the corresponding communicator devicescontained in the communicator location database with the real-timeweather data and upon demand of the user, or even continuously,generates an individualized weather output signal including weatherinformation within the spatial range identified by the spatial rangeidentifier for the user-defined parameters. As new locations are definedby the communicator location database, the weather information databaseis automatically updated in real-time.

The communication network transmits each individualized weather outputsignal to the particular communicator device defined in the user profileincluded in the user-defined parameter corresponding with the real-timeweather data and prediction of events. Thus, a user can receive weatherinformation in real-time specific to the user's immediate spatiallocation regardless of whether or not the user's location remains fixedor dynamic throughout time.

Other advantages and features of the present invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art when the following detaileddescription is read in view of the attached drawings and appendedclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an interactive weather advisory systemconstructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a coordinate system illustrating a spatial location identifierand a spatial range identifier utilized by versions of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 1 showntherein in block diagram form, is an interactive weather advisory system8, constructed in accordance with the present invention. The weatheradvisory system 8 is provided with a broadcast network 10 forselectively transmitting individualized weather output signals to remotecommunicator devices 11. The broadcast network 10 includes a weatheranalysis unit 12, a user input database 14, a communicator locationdatabase 16, and a communication network 20. The weather analysis unit12 receives real-time weather data from a weather information database21. The weather information database 21 can be located at the broadcastnetwork 10, or remotely from the broadcast network 10.

The weather analysis unit 12, the user input database 14, thecommunicator location database 16, the weather information database 21,and the communication network 20, interrelate and communicate via signalpaths 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 and 32.

The user input database 14 permits a plurality of users to input datacorresponding to the weather reports, advisories or forecasts such thatindividualized weather reports, advisories or prediction of events canbe transmitted to each individual user. The user input database 14contains data representative of at least one user-defined parametercorrelated to each one of a plurality of users. In one version of thepresent invention, each of the user-defined parameters includes variousinformation related to weather output signals, such as a spatial rangeidentifier, a user profile, one or more weather content identifiers foridentifying particular weather patterns, one or more time identifiersfor identifying particular times or time intervals that a user maydesire a weather product, a spatial location fixed or dynamic code, anda spatial location identifier for identifying particular spatiallocations of interest to the user if the spatial location fixed ordynamic code indicates that the spatial location is to be fixed. Theuser profile in each of the user-defined parameters includes at least auser identifier code for identifying a particular communicator device 11associated with a particular user.

For instance, the user identifier code could be a mobile telephonenumber identifying one of the communicator devices 11, which in thisinstance could be a mobile telephone or a pager, for example. Theweather content identifier could be a computer code to identify one or avariety of weather conditions or events such as tornadoes,thunderstorms, hail storms, lightning storms, showers, snow storms,blizzards, high winds, winds aloft, rapidly rising or rapidly fallingbarometric pressure or other such weather patterns or conditions. Thetime identifier desirably could be a computer code for identifying theparticular time, times, or time intervals the user desires theinteractive weather advisory system 8 to communicate weather data to theuser or to monitor the real-time weather data for a particular timeand/or date. The spatial location identifier 26 could be a computer codeidentifying a particular predetermined spatial location such as, by wayof example but not limitation, a longitude and latitude anywhere in theworld, a town, a county, a township, address, zip code, altitude andcombinations thereof.

As discussed above, the spatial location identifier identifies aparticular spatial location anywhere in the world and/or altitude abovesea level. The spatial range identifier identifies a particular spatialrange surrounding the spatial location identifier. Each of the users canselect the spatial location identifier and the spatial range identifierso as to receive weather forecasts and/or weather advisories or anyother weather information for the spatial location identified by thespatial location identifier, and within the spatial range identified bythe spatial range identifier.

For example, referring to FIG. 2, shown therein is a coordinate systemillustrating four spatial location identifiers and four spatial rangeidentifiers selected by different users of the present invention. Thatis, one of the users selects the spatial location identifier (X1, Y1,Z1), and the spatial range identifier (R1). Another one of the usersselects the spatial location identifier (X2, Y2, Z2), and the spatialrange identifier (R2).

The user who selected the spatial location identifier (X1, Y1, Z1) andthe spatial range identifier R1 will receive weather products andadvisories concerning the spatial range identified by the spatiallocation identifier (X1, Y1, Z1) and the spatial range identifier R1, aspredefined in his user input database. The user who selected the spatiallocation identifier (X2, Y2, Z2) and the spatial range identifier R2will receive weather products and advisories concerning the spatialrange identified by the spatial location identifier (X2, Y2, Z2) and thespatial range identifier R2, and as predefined in the user inputdatabase 14. Likewise, the users who selected the spatial locationidentifiers (X3, Y3, Z3) and (X4, Y4, Z4) and the spatial rangeidentifiers R3 and R4 will receive weather products and advisoriesconcerning the spatial range identified by the spatial locationidentifiers (X3, Y3, Z3), (X4, Y4, Z4) and the spatial range identifierR3, R4, and as predefined in the user input database 14.

The magnitudes of the spatial range identifiers R1, R2, R3 and R4 can bedifferent or the same. In addition, the magnitudes of the spatial rangeidentifiers R1, R2, R3 and R4 can vary widely and is desirably selectedby the users.

Particular users can input the user-defined parameters into the userinput database 14 via any suitable method. For example, the user inputdatabase 14 is desirably configured to acquire its data from a varietyof optional sources preferably chosen by the user, such as verballythrough a telephone customer service network, a mobile phone networkequipped with wireless application protocol technology, email, apersonal digital assistant, a laptop computer, or an interactive website. Furthermore, users could mail the user-defined parameters to thebroadcast network 10 and an individual at the broadcast network 10 couldinput the user-defined parameters directly into the user input database14 via a keyboard or other similar input device. In one embodiment, theuser inputs the selected information into the user input database 14 viathe user's communicator device 11.

The weather information database 21 contains real-time weather data forat least the spatial locations contained in the communicator locationdatabase 16 and the spatial locations identified by the spatial locationidentifier in the user input database 14. The weather analysis unit 12generates predictions of all weather events based on the real-timeweather data. The weather information database 21 desirably receives itsreal-time weather data from at least one of a plurality of possibleresources such as, by way of example but not limitation, governmentweather information resources, privately operated weather informationresources and other various meteorological resources. The real-timeweather data could also be either inputted directly at the physicallocation of the weather information database 21 or inputted via a mobilephone network, a mobile phone network with wireless applicationprotocol, the Internet, aircraft communication systems, email, apersonal digital assistant, a laptop computer, regular computer, orother wireless devices.

The communicator location database 16 is an optional feature of thepresent invention, and is enabled via the signal path 22 when the userrequests real-time weather advisories or prediction of events at thedynamic spatial location of the user's communicator device 11. Thecommunicator location database 16 is continuously updated such that thecommunicator location database 16 contains real-time data indicative ofthe spatial locations of the communicator devices 11. In one embodiment,the user identifier code in the user's profile is transmitted to thecommunicator location database 16 via the signal path 22. Thecommunicator location database 16 desirably receives data from thecommunicator devices 11 identified by the user identifier codes via atleast one of a variety of possible resources such as a mobile phonenetwork, a mobile phone network equipped with the wireless applicationprotocol technology, global positioning satellite technology, theInternet, loran technology, radar technology, transponder technology orany other type of technology capable of tracking the spatial location ofa communicator device 11 and communicating the location of suchcommunicator device 11 to the communicator location database 16 of thebroadcast network 10. Preferably, the communicator location database 16is continuously and automatically updated as to the location of each ofthe communicator devices 11, such as by the wireless applicationprotocol technology.

The communication network 20 can be, by way of example but notlimitation, a mobile phone network, a mobile phone network with wirelessapplication protocol technology, the Internet, a facsimile network, asatellite network (one or two-way), a RF radio network, or any othermeans of transmitting information from a source to an end user.

The communicator devices 11 can be bidirectional or unidirectionalcommunicator devices. The communicator devices 11 can be, by way ofexample but not limitation, a portable device, such as a mobiletelephone, a smart phone, a pager, a laptop computer or a personaldigital assistant or any other electronic device capable of receivingweather information data. Furthermore, the communicator device 11 can beincorporated into an object that is utilized or accessible by the user,such as a helmet, an automobile, or an airplane, for example. While onlythree communicator devices 11 are represented in FIG. 1 for purposes ofillustration, the interactive weather advisory system 8 contemplates theutilization of a large number of communicator devices 11.

The weather analysis unit 12 receives the data in the user inputdatabase 14, the communicator location database 16 and the weatherinformation database 21 from the signal paths 24, 26, and 28. Theweather analysis unit 12 can be, by way of example but not limitation, acomputer desirably programmed to automatically and continuously comparethe data in the user input database 14, communicator location database16 and weather information database 21 so as to generate anindividualized weather output signal including weather informationwithin the spatial range identified by the spatial range identifier foreach user-defined parameter in the user input database 14. The weatheroutput signals are transmitted to the communication network 20 via thesignal path 32.

The weather analysis unit 12 gathers the real-time weather data from theweather information database 21. The term “real-time weather data”, asused herein, refers to weather data which is continually updated so asto indicate current or near current information. In some instances, the“real-time weather data” may be delayed by relatively small incrementsof five minutes, 15 minutes, or 30 minutes, for example. In otherinstances, the “real-time weather data” can be provided withsubstantially no delay. It is expected that the increments will becomesmaller as communication networks and weather related technology becomefaster.

The weather analysis unit 12 generates predictions of all weatherrelated events and compares past and current events contained in theweather information database 21 (such as future position, strength,trajectory, etc.), to construct a four-dimensional database. Threedimensions of the database define a physical location on or above theearth's surface (the spatial location identifier (X1, Y1, Z1). Thefourth dimension is time; past, present or future (identified as T1, T2,T3, T4). By employing high speed computer processors in real-time, theweather analysis unit 12 compares all events (past, current andpredicted), at specific positions (X1, Y1, Z1, T1) with identical usersupplied data (the user input database; X1, Y1, Z1, R1, T1), andidentifies any matches (weather output signals) to the user through thecommunication network 20 and communication devices 11.

The communication network 20 receives the weather output signals and theuser identification codes via the signal paths 32 and 30. In responsethereto the communication network 20 transmits the individualizedweather output signals to the communicator devices 11 associated withthe user identification codes via the signal paths 34 a, 34 b and 34 csuch that each user receives the individualized weather information thatwas requested.

The signal paths 34 a, 34 b and 34 c refer to any suitable communicationlink which permits electronic communications. For example, the signalpaths 34 a, 34 b and 34 c can be point-to-point shared and dedicatedcommunications, infra red links, microwave links, telephone links, CATVlinks, satellite and radio links and fiber optic links.

Various combinations of weather information can be incorporated into theuser input database 14 so as to provide the user with selected andspecific weather information. For example, a user traveling in hisautomobile may wish to be informed by the interactive weather advisorysystem 8 concerning all hailstorms for an area within a 2.5 mile radiusof his vehicle as he is traveling from his point of origin to hisdestination. The user, for example, through his smart phone(communicator device 11) in his vehicle working in conjunction with amobile phone network (communication network 20) with wirelessapplication protocol, inputs selected information into the user inputdatabase 14; namely, the user's smart phone number (user identifiercode), hail (weather content identifier), 2.5 mile radius (spatial rangeidentifier 24) and spatial location dynamic (spatial location of theuser's smart phone is then automatically and continuously monitored),and the like.

The interactive weather advisory system 8 then monitors weatherinformation and predictions of events in the weather analysis unit 12and transmits the individualized weather output signal to the user'ssmart phone if a hailstorm is detected or is highly likely to formwithin a 2.5 mile radius of the vehicle along the vehicle's path oftravel, for the duration of travel. The communicator device 11 can beinstalled in the automobile or vehicle, or be a portable device, such asa cellular telephone which is being moved by the automobile or vehicle.The vehicle can be any type of mobile device, such as an airplane, aship or boat, automobile, snowmobile, motorcycle or the like.

The individualized weather output signal can be an audio and/or videodata signal. For example, the individualized weather output signal canbe a .W AV file or other suitable file containing an animatedrepresentation of a real or hypothetical individual speaking anindividualized message to the user. In the example given above, theindividualized message may be that the hailstorm is 2.5 miles ahead ofthe vehicle and thus, the user should consider stopping for a shortperiod of time so as to avoid the hailstorm. Alternatively, theindividualized message may be that the hailstorm is 2.5 miles ahead ofthe vehicle and thus, the user should consider stopping until furthernotified by another individualized weather output signal so as to avoidthe hailstorm. In other words, the weather analysis unit 12 may transmitanother individualized weather output signal to the user via thecommunication network 20 and the communicator devices 11 notifying theuser that the weather condition identified by the weather contentidentifier has passed or is beyond the spatial location identified bythe spatial range identifier.

As another example, a user may desire to be informed of all real-timeweather data and predictions of events within a particular spatial rangeof a particular dynamic spatial location. For instance, the user may beinterested in whether his aircraft is at risk of icing as he flies fromOklahoma City to Tulsa, Okla. To provide a suitable level of comfort andsafety, the user may wish to be informed of icing conditions within 10miles of the dynamic spatial location of his aircraft. The user, forexample, through his smart phone or other suitable avionic device(communicator device 11) in his aircraft working in conjunction with amobile phone network (communication network 20) with wirelessapplication protocol, inputs selected information into the user inputdatabase 14; namely, the user's smart phone number (user identifiercode), icing (weather content identifier), 10 mile radius (spatial rangeidentifier 24) and the spatial location dynamic. The spatial location ofthe user's smart phone or other suitable avionic device is thenautomatically and continuously monitored as the aircraft traversesthrough time and space from (X1, Y1, Z1, T1) to (X4, Y4, Z4, T4). Theinteractive weather analysis unit 12 then monitors the real-time weatherdata in the weather information database 21 and the predicted events inthe weather analysis unit 12 so as to transmit the individualizedweather output signal to the user's smart phone or other avionic deviceidentifying, if icing is detected or is highly likely to form relevantto a 10 mile radius of the aircraft.

As yet another example, perhaps the user is only interested in aparticular weather pattern at a particular fixed spatial location andwithin a particular spatial range irrespective of the immediate locationof the communicator device 11. To accomplish this user's request, thebroadcast network 10 does not utilize the communicator location database16. The user inputs selected information into the user input database14, namely the user's phone number (user identifier code), the code forthe particular weather pattern in which the user is interested (weathercontent identifier), the spatial range around the spatial location inwhich the user is interested (spatial range identifier) and the spatiallocation in which the user is interested (spatial location identifier).The weather analysis unit 12 then monitors the real-time weather data inthe weather information database 21 and the predicted events in theweather analysis unit 12 so as to transmit the individualized weatherinformation concerning the weather pattern in the spatial location andrange requested by the user.

As a further example, perhaps the user is only interested in aparticular weather condition at the spatial location and within aparticular spatial range at a particular time. The user inputs selectedinformation into the user input database 14, namely, the user's phonenumber (user identifier code), the code for the particular weatherpattern in which the user is interested (weather content identifier),the spatial range around the spatial location in which the user isinterested (spatial range identifier and the spatial location in whichthe user is interested spatial location identifier) and the time anddate (time identifier) that the user to wishes to be informed of theweather conditions at the spatial location of interest. In responsethereto, the weather analysis unit 12 monitors the real time weatherdata from the weather information database 21 for the spatial locationand range identified by the spatial range identifier and spatiallocation identifier to determine the probability of the particularweather pattern occurring at the time identified by the time identifier.The weather analysis unit 12 sends, via the signal path 32, theindividualized weather output signal to the communication network 20.The communication network 20 receives the user identifier code, viasignal path 30, from the user input database 14 and transmits theweather output signal received from the weather analysis unit 12 to theparticular communicator device 11 identified by the user identifiercode. Thus, the user receives the individualized weather informationconcerning the spatial location, spatial range and time requested by theuser.

The signal paths 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 and 32 can be logical and/orphysical links between various software and/or hardware utilized toimplement the present invention. It should be understood that each ofthe signal paths 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 and 32 are shown and describedseparately herein for the sole purpose of clearly illustrating theinformation and logic being communicated between the individualcomponents of the present invention. In operation, the signal paths maynot be separate signal paths but may be a single signal path. Inaddition, the various information does not necessarily have to flowbetween the components of the present invention in the manner shown inFIG. 1. For example, although FIG. 1 illustrates the user identifiercode being transmitted directly from the user input database 14 to thecommunication network 20 via the signal path 30, the user identifiercode can be communicated to the weather analysis unit 12 via the signalpath 24 and then communicated to the communication network 20 via thesignal path 32.

It should be understood that although the user has been described asmanually inputting the user identifier code into the user input database14, the user identifier code could be automatically input into the userinput database 14 by the communicator device 11.

Once the user-defined parameters have been input into the user inputdatabase 14, the user-defined parameters can be analyzed by the weatheranalysis unit 12 along with weather content identifiers for purposes oftargeted marketing. A plurality of vendors 36 can be provided access tothe weather analysis unit 12 of the broadcast network 10 via a pluralityof signal paths 38 a, 38 b, and 38 c. The vendors 36 can independentlyinput search information into the weather analysis unit 12 for compilinga data set of information which is useful to the vendors 36.

For example, a particular vendor 36 a, who is in the business of sellingsnow blowers, may input a weather content identifier and time identifierinto the weather analysis unit 12 so as to request a list of all spatiallocations in the United States which are expected to receive at least 10inches of snow in the next week. The weather analysis unit 12 would thencompile the data set of all spatial locations in United States which isexpected to receive at least 10 inches of snow in the next week based onat least one weather content identifier, the time identifier, and thereal-time weather data stored in the weather information database 21.The data set is then output to the vendor 36 a. Based on the data set,the vendor 36 a may send advertisements or additional snow blowers tothe areas identified in the data set.

As another example, the particular vendor 36 a, who is in the businessof selling snow blowers, may input a weather content identifier and timeidentifier into the weather analysis unit 12 so as to request a list ofall user profiles identifying users who resided in spatial locations inthe United States which are expected to receive at least 10 inches ofsnow in the next week. The weather analysis unit 12 would then compilethe data set of all spatial locations in United States which is expectedto receive at least 10 inches of snow in the next week based on at leastone weather content identifier, the time identifier, the user profilesand the real-time weather data stored in the weather informationdatabase 21. The data set is then output to the vendor 36 a. Based onthe data set, the vendor 36 a may send advertisements to the users whoare identified in the data set.

It is envisioned that users will subscribe to the services provided bythe broadcast network 10. In this regard, the broadcast network 10 mayor may not charge a service fee to the users. In addition, some servicesmay be provided by the broadcast network 10 for one charge andadditional services may be provided at an enhanced charge.

To save processing power, the weather analysis unit 12 may periodicallydetermine which communicator devices 11 are turned off or out of range.Once this has been determined, the weather analysis unit 12 would thennot generate any individualized weather output signals for thecommunicator devices 11 which are turned off or out of range. Once aparticular one of the communicator devices 11 is turned on or comeswithin range, the weather analysis unit 12 would then attempt togenerate individualized weather output signals for such communicatordevices 11. In other words, to save processing power the weatheranalysis unit 12 may only generate individualized weather output signalsfor the communicator devices 11 which are active and within range.

The weather analysis unit 12 can be located at the broadcast network 10.Alternatively, the weather analysis unit 12 can be separate from theremainder of the broadcast network 10 and provided as a service to thebroadcast network 10.

In one preferred embodiment, rather than, or in addition to the userproviding user-defined parameters to the user input database 14, theuser input database 14 is programmed to provide a plurality ofpre-defined user profiles with each of the pre-defined user profilesdirected to an activity designated by the user optionally including dataand time of the activity. The activity can be a business, personal orrecreational need. For example, the business need can be any workdependent upon or impacted by weather conditions to carry out a desiredactivity, such as, but not limited to a rancher, contractor, farmer, orpainter. The personal need can be any activity positively or negativelyimpacted by weather conditions, such as but not limited to dutiesperformed by a homeowner, such as mowing the lawn, painting the house,trimming trees, or the like. The recreational need can be anyrecreational or other outdoor activity dependent upon weatherconditions, such as but not limited to golfing, cycling, boating,hiking, fishing, or snow skiing.

In this case, the user selects or provides an activity or category tothe user input database 14. The user input database 14 retrievespre-defined information concerning such activity or category and storesor links such pre-defined information with the user's user profile. Thebroadcast network 10 and/or weather analysis unit 12 then functions asset forth above to provide weather alerts or other informationconcerning the information contained in the user's user profile.

For example, a user may plan on golfing on a particular weekend duringthe hours of 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. In this case, the user would selectthe pre-defined user profile for “golfing”, and the time frame of suchplanned activity. The location of planned activity can also be enteredinto the user input database 14, or the location of the communicatordevice 11 can be monitored by the communicator location database 16. Theinformation contained in the pre-defined user profile is input into theuser input database 14 and output weather alerts and forecasts are thengenerated as discussed above.

The pre-defined user profiles are determined by member(s) of thebroadcast network 10 and/or weather analysis unit 12, who identifyweather conditions which are typically suitable and/or adverse to eachdesignated activity. Thus, for example, a pre-defined user profile for“golfing” will contain data, such as wind conditions, lightning, rain,temperature and other conditions which will positively or negativelyimpact a golfing activity. The data in the pre-defined user profile canbe determined either before or after selection of the activity by theuser.

If desired by the user, the broadcast network 10 and/or weather analysisunit 12 can assume the responsibility for generating the appropriatesize of the spatial range identifier (as in the case with the userprofile, or pre-defined user profile). Alternatively, the spatial rangeidentifier can be determined by the nature of the weather event. In thelatter case, member(s) of the broadcast network 10 and/or weatheranalysis unit 12 would determine an “area of concern” around eachweather event that would or could occur and the communication network 20would then send notifications to any user or communicator device 11 thatmay come into contact with the area of concern.

For example, a tornado may be ½ mile wide and the broadcast network 10and/or weather analysis unit 12 would, based upon its experience,knowledge and/or abilities, determine that the area of concern would be1½ miles wide and 8 miles long—moving northeasterly. Any user, containedwithin the user input database 14, would be notified, as discussedabove, if the user's location comes into contact with the “area ofconcern”.

From the above description, it is clear that the present invention iswell adapted to carry out the objects and to attain the advantagesmentioned herein as well as those inherent in the invention. Whilepresently preferred embodiments of the invention have been described forpurposes of this disclosure, it will be readily understood that numerouschanges may be made which will readily suggest themselves to thoseskilled in the art and which are accomplished within the spirit of theinvention disclosed.

1. A broadcast network for selectively transmitting individualized weather output signals to at least one of a plurality of communicator devices remotely located from the broadcast network, the broadcast network comprising: a user input database containing a plurality of user-defined parameters with each of the user-defined parameters including a user profile, the user profile in each of the user-defined parameters including a user identifier code identifying a communicator device associated with a particular user; a communicator location database containing real-time data indicative of the spatial locations of the communicator devices; a weather analysis unit comparing the spatial locations of the communicator devices contained in the communicator location database with real-time weather data to generate individualized weather output signals; and a communication network receiving the individualized weather output signals and transmitting the individualized weather output signals to the communicator devices identified by the user identifier codes.
 2. The broadcast network of claim 1, wherein at least one of the user defined parameters is a spatial range identifier.
 3. The broadcast network of claim 1, wherein the communication network transmits individualized weather output signals to the particular communicator device via a mobile telephone network.
 4. The broadcast network of claim 3, wherein at least one of the user identifier codes identifies a mobile phone.
 5. The broadcast network of claim 3, wherein at least one of the user identifier codes identifies a pager.
 6. The broadcast network of claim 3, wherein at least one of the user identifier codes identifies a laptop computer.
 7. The broadcast network of claim 3, wherein at least one of the user identifier codes identifies a personal digital assistant.
 8. The broadcast network of claim 1, wherein the individualized weather output signal includes a video data signal.
 9. The broadcast network of claim 1, wherein the video data signal includes an animated graphic file.
 10. The broadcast network of claim 8, wherein the video data signal is a .wav file.
 11. A broadcast network for selectively transmitting individualized weather output signals to at least one of a plurality of communicator devices remotely located from the broadcast network, the broadcast network comprising: a user input database containing a plurality of user-defined parameters with each of the user-defined parameters including a user profile, the user profile in each of the user-defined parameters including a user identifier code identifying a communicator device associated with a particular user; a communicator location database containing real-time data indicative of the spatial locations of the communicator devices; a weather analysis unit comparing the spatial locations of the communicator devices contained in the communicator location database with real-time weather data to generate individualized weather output signals upon demand of the user; and a communication network receiving the individualized weather output signals and transmitting the individualized weather output signals to the communicator devices identified by the user identifier codes.
 12. The broadcast network of claim 11, wherein at least one of the user defined parameters is a spatial range identifier.
 13. The broadcast network of claim 11, wherein the communication network transmits individualized weather output signals to the particular communicator device via a mobile telephone network.
 14. The broadcast network of claim 13, wherein at least one of the user identifier codes identifies a mobile phone.
 15. The broadcast network of claim 13, wherein at least one of the user identifier codes identifies a pager.
 16. The broadcast network of claim 13, wherein at least one of the user identifier codes identifies a laptop computer.
 17. The broadcast network of claim 13, wherein at least one of the user identifier codes identifies a personal digital assistant.
 18. The broadcast network of claim 11, wherein the individualized weather output signal includes a video data signal.
 19. The broadcast network of claim 11, wherein the video data signal includes an animated graphic file.
 20. The broadcast network of claim 18, wherein the video data signal is a .wav file. 